We headed to the north east coast where the Atlantic Ocean rolls in from Africa.
We visited a cold soufrierie - a volcanic vent spewing forth sulfurous fumes but without the heat associated with other volcanic vents. The grayish color is due to the sulfur.
As we proceeded further south we were stopped by a man in an utility truck. He told us the road was unpassable a little further down and we needed to turn back. It was right after that we learned that the brakes had failed on the car so backtracking to Portsmouth would have been necessary in any case.
Underway in our new set of wheels, we crossed over the windward side of the island a little further south came upon the rugged Atlantic coast.
The lush tropical vegetation surrounds you everywhere you look.
Coconut trees are numerous. Coconut and coconut products are one of the leading exports from the Island. Some of Palmolive's coconut products are manufactured here.
We often see coconuts floating on the water. Here we found one sprouting on an Atlantic beach. Indigenous or Colonizer?
We saw a sign for the "#1 beach", so we drove our four wheel drive rental down a slightly overgrown path and found this black sand beach.
In the town of Calibishe, many homes overlook Porte d'Enfer, a natural arch that collapsed in 1956 leaving two rocky islets.
This box of avocados are ready for export to Martinique and are a testament to the excellent growing conditions on Dominica.
Before the arrival of Europeans, the islands were inhabited by numerous "Indian" tribes. The Caribs were among the more recent settlers and there were many Carib Indian settlements in the Caribbean when Columbus first arrived. Sadly most of the original inhabitants of the islands have disappeared but in Dominica the Carib Territory has been set aside for surviving Caribs. Their basket weaving style is unique in Caribbean.
A view of the Atlantic from the souvenir stand. A wonderful view and a wonderful breeze.
In the rain forest we found a tree we had never seen before.
There are moss and vines growing over everything. Someone added eyes and a tongue to make this intriguing woodland character.
Emerald Pool - cool and refreshing.
Looking north along the center of Dominica. There are seven volcanoes that were instrumental in the formation of the island and which gives it a very rugged terrain.
View from the anchorage at Roseau, the capitol of Dominica.
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